Infant Seats On Airasia

[Warrioroo]

We are flying Air Asia BKK-KL-Australia next week with our 12 month old.

On Air Asia you cannot book seats in advance if you want the 'infant seats' with bassinet. Instead we need to try and obtain these seats on a first come, first serve basis when we check in.

We plan to check in super early, but has anyone had any experience with this? Seems there are only 3 bassinets on the flight, so if there are more than 3 infants, some poor parents will have to carry their sprog for hours... has anyone booked these seats in advance? Does the 'first come, first serve' policy work? Anyone been stuck without an infant seat?

Cheers.

[tonititan]

I thought on Air Asia you could pay extra to choose your seat ahead of time? Couldn't you find out where the bassinets would be located (usually the bulkhead row), and make sure to book those seats for yourself? I am guessing that the "first come, first serve" method won't work, because other people will book those bulkhead seats for the extra legroom. And, if you don't choose a seat, you are assigned a seat upon check-in. When I've asked for a specific type of seat, they say that I can only get that if I pay the fee. Hopefully they would be more accommodating to someone who has an infant, but personally I wouldn't take any chances. Good luck!

[Warrioroo]

Yes, you can book seats in advance online, except in certain situations... like travelling with an infant.

I have logged on to Air Asia and checked the seating on my specific flights, and the seats with bassinets are recorded as unavailable... so they are empty for now and waiting for those of us with bubs to check in and request them.

Other bulkhead seats are all booked up already, as you would imagine.

Just seems bizarre that they cant let me book now, given that they know i am travelling with a baby.

Anyway, looks like i'll need to get there early and cross fingers! Might be a LOOOONG trip!

[tonititan]

Huh. Interesting. That IS really silly that they won't let you pre-book the bassinet seats. I'd hate to see the show-down between all the parents of babies at the airport. Just kidding. Make sure you are at the front of the line when you check in.

Have you tried calling Air Asia just in case they will manually assign you that seat? I've always found their customer service to be pretty helpful....maybe it's worth a shot?

[Warrioroo]

Huh. Interesting. That IS really silly that they won't let you pre-book the bassinet seats. I'd hate to see the show-down between all the parents of babies at the airport. Just kidding. Make sure you are at the front of the line when you check in.

Have you tried calling Air Asia just in case they will manually assign you that seat? I've always found their customer service to be pretty helpful....maybe it's worth a shot?

Yep, good idea... will give them a bell and see what can be done. Cheers.

[Crossy]

Actually I don't think any airlines allow on-line reservation of the bassinet seats, even if you've booked as travelling with a youngster

Check-in staff allocate on arrival. My daughter had no issues with her two smalls, the flight wasn't full and check-in had already allocated a bassinet seat together with the one next to it (even though the youngster wasn't actually entitled to a seat). Eva Air

[Warrioroo]

Actually I don't think any airlines allow on-line reservation of the bassinet seats, even if you've booked as travelling with a youngster

Check-in staff allocate on arrival. My daughter had no issues with her two smalls, the flight wasn't full and check-in had already allocated a bassinet seat together with the one next to it (even though the youngster wasn't actually entitled to a seat). Eva Air

Thanks Crossy... would be a nice surprise to have a bassinet seat allocated and waiting for us!

[theseahorse]

I've flown with my 13 month old daughter numerous times, although not Air Asia long haul, and every airline has said the same thing 'you can't pre book Bassinets' but each time I've arrived the bulkhead seats have been already alocated for us. I guess your only probelm will be if there are more than 3/4 babies on board, but every flight I've done there has never been more than one other.

But looking back at your OP, you mention your child is 12 months old. My daughter out grew the bassinets when she was 6 months and I can't imagine even a small 12 month old Thai baby fitting in. The bassinets do have weight restrictions and I think it maybe only 5 or 6kg. I don't want to worry you, but I think he/she will be on your lap.

[Warrioroo]

I've flown with my 13 month old daughter numerous times, although not Air Asia long haul, and every airline has said the same thing 'you can't pre book Bassinets' but each time I've arrived the bulkhead seats have been already alocated for us. I guess your only probelm will be if there are more than 3/4 babies on board, but every flight I've done there has never been more than one other.

But looking back at your OP, you mention your child is 12 months old. My daughter out grew the bassinets when she was 6 months and I can't imagine even a small 12 month old Thai baby fitting in. The bassinets do have weight restrictions and I think it maybe only 5 or 6kg. I don't want to worry you, but I think he/she will be on your lap.

Thanks for this, good comments. Yeah we passed the 5-6kg mark months ago...now at 10kg. Oh well, if she's on my lap we'll survive... more time for daddy daughter bonding while pregnant mummy gets some sleep! Cheers for the info.

[Warrioroo]

Update for all...

No bassinets on the flights BKK-KL.

But checking in at KL on the way to the Gold Coast we asked for a seat with a bassinet, and were asked whether we had previously requested one. We informed them that no, we had been told several times by AirAsia staff that you cannot request or book bassinets in advance. Eventually she provided us with a seat that she promised had the bassinet. Of course, we board the plane and we're 10 rows from a bassinet and had to ask flight crew to move us to a bassinet seat... which they did... why on earth we weren't placed there to begin with i don't know.

Checking in at the Gold Coast for return to KL - yes you can book a bassinet seat, but it costs an extra A$45. As it was a day flight, we decided against it, and the lady managed to get us booked with a spare seat between us, so it worked out well with the bub.

Anyway, beware Air Asia if you're traveling and hope to get a bassinet... won't be as clear cut as you hope... but it can be done!

[KIWIBATCH]

No I havent experienced Air Asia travelling with an infant but can only suggest you get to the check very early..I mean be standing at check in while the red suited girls adjust their hair and check their teeth with small mirrors before opening up for business......and secure your bassinette seat.....good luck...and by the way...because you have "requested" a seat.....rather than having one allocated automatically to you by "their system" you will be asked for around 250 baht per passenger for the "privilege" of asking for a specific seat...Air Asia charge this...its in their company small print somewhere....its annoying....but they are a good carrier...clean modern planes good on board service....they beat "Aunty Thai Airlines" handsdown every time.

[Ricardo]

Does anyone know what AA charge, to put your baby in the hold, and avoid all the noise & hassle en-route ? Something similar to the cost of shipping a pet, perhaps ?